Brookwood School's literary team was awarded the Second Runner-Up trophy on Thursday in the Georgia Independent School Association AAA State Competition for 2010 at Valdosta State University.

"It was an extremely close competition that was ultimately decided by just 1 and-a-half points," said Phil Danner, Brookwood's literary competition coordinator. "We had 25 points and Westfield of Perry, the winner, had 26.5 points." Mount De Sales Academy of Macon was the First Runner-Up.

"All of our students performed outstandingly," Danner added. "I want to thank them for the hours upon hours of hard work they devoted to perfecting their skills, memorizing their parts and music, researching, and practicing."

Brookwood had two state champions in individual competition, Davis Flowers in Boys Solo and Mickey Betters in Dramatic Oral Interpretation, with two second-place finishers, Kyle Hunter in Argumentative Essay and Mickey Betters in Personal Essay and one third-place finisher, Jackson Brannon in Extemporaneous Speaking on national topics.

Other students competing this year in the state competition were: John Moore and Meredith Briscoe in Duo Oral Interpretation, Danny Steinberg in International Extemporaneous Speaking, and Rand Pope in Piano.

"They gave excellent performances as well," Danner said.

"While literary competition is made up of individual events, it is ultimately a team sport, with the first four finishers earning points toward the team trophy. Members of our entire literary team who competed in our region and at state, are examples of the old adage that excellence is never an accident. It takes more than just talent. It takes hard work and sacrifice."

Next year, Brookwood will compete in GISA Division AA athletic and literary events instead of the AAA Division competitions, which includes the largest independent schools in Georgia.

Danner credited Barbara Lee and Marc Cramer for their "excellent coaching and mentoring of our students."

Mickey Betters is state champion in Dramatic Oral Interpretation.

Davis Flowers is state champion in Boys Solo.